LaVerne B. (Sibilsky) Maedke , 101, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2015 at the Algoma Long Term Care Unit in the company of her daughters. LaVerne was born at home to Helen and Ernst Sibilsky in Rankin, WI where she spent a happy and fulfilling childhood. Her parents owned and operated cheese factories in the area and a general store in Rankin. She graduated from St John's Lutheran School and then Algoma High School in 1922. She then studied at Bellin School of Nursing. Switching career goals she attended and then graduated from Wisconsin School of Cosmetology.
LaVerne's full life spanned the 20th century experiencing horse drawn carriages, cars, trains and airplanes. Rural electrification, telephone service, big bands, Charleston and the swing. She traveled cross country in the late 1930s by car. She experienced two world wars, where a number of uncles served and returned safely from World War 1 and a brother and brothers in law served and returned from World War II and Korea. Life was filled with family, extended family and the comfort of growing up in a loving and caring network of family and friends. Surviving appendicitis (having to take a sleigh to Rio Creek and then the train to Green Bay for surgery), "Bright's Disease", (all in her childhood), and a few surgeries in her adulthood, LaVerne lived well over 101 years.
LaVerne married Atlee Maedke November 30, 1939 a marriage of more than 50 years ending with Atlee's death in February 1990. They started out in Maplewood WI owning and operating a cheese factory and general store. They moved on to Appleton having part ownership in a farm implement manufacturing company in Kaukauna. While in Appleton they participated in starting up a Lutheran church. Returning to Algoma in the early 1950s LaVerne and Atlee owned and operated Wheeler's Restaurant. LaVerne ran the restaurant during the week while Atlee commuted to Chicago for his work with A O Smith. They moved to the Maedke homestead in Kodan where she would spend the rest of her life. She eventually took a job at Wautlet's Bakery retiring in the early '80s when Jake and Arlene retired.
LaVerne was a lifelong member of St John Lutheran Church (Rankin) where she was baptized, confirmed, married and will be buried. She also was a member of St John Ladies Aid.
LaVerne enjoyed spending her time with her family and, most especially, her beloved sisters. In her early life she loved dancing to the big band music of her time. LaVerne did embroidery and made many beautiful pieces for her family. She loved watching TV especially all of the political shows she could find, and was on top of all current events. She also was an avid fan of game shows like Chain Reaction, Lingo and Jeopardy.
LaVerne had 3 children, Cheryl Wergin and Sally Wall currently living in Chicago and Kim Maedke of Shorewood, WI. She is survived by her daughters, two grandchildren (Emily Wall of Chicago and Elliott Wall of Honolulu) and two sons- in- law Donald Wall of Chicago and Walter Weigel of Shorewood. She is preceded in death by her parents, Helen and Ernst, siblings Evelyn Hettiger, Violet Bero, Marvin Sibilsky, and Arlene Wautlet and their spouses all of Algoma, and Alice Scepanski and her spouse of Green Bay as well as son -in- law Frank Wergin, 2 nieces (Jane (Sibilsky) Pagel) and Pamela Ritchie and 2 nephews (Mark Wautlet and Mike Sibilsky). Her two sisters -in -law and mother and father- in- law also preceded her in death.
Friends and family may call at Wiesner & Massart Funeral Home, 1617 Flora Ave., Algoma on Tuesday July 14 from 4 to 8 PM. Prayer Service will be held at 7 PM. Visitation will continue on Wednesday July 15, 2015 at church from 10 to 11 AM. Funeral services will be held at St. John Lutheran Church in Rankin at 11 AM on July 15, 2015. Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery. Online condolences may be shared here .
The family wishes to thank the staff of Algoma Long Term Care for the wonderful, loving care she received during her stay. They made her life there as close to home as could be possible. They also want to thank Unity Hospice staff for the additional care they provided LaVerne and her family during the last year of her life. And finally, they want to offer very special thanks to Suzanne Simon, LaVerne's caregiver and companion of more than 3 years. She not only cared for LaVerne but became LaVerne's friend and a part of our family.
